Can I Find a Bee for Hire?

  Early this afternoon, the cooling breeze demanded that I take a hike! While the house seemed hot, outside was pleasantly comfortable.  The hike meandered around the gardens and finally to the west side of the house.  Just a few steps from the little walkway flanked by herbs, a slight buzzing sound could be heard.  It seems that I am not the only one that loves my herbs!  Bees have literally swarmed to the blossoms of the Florence Fennel and are taking full advantage of the pollen. The yellow blooms were crawling with numerous types of bees and even a few wasps.  This was surprising to me as just a few feet from the fennel were dozens of Ruby Lilies in full bloom.  Nary a bee (nor wasp) could be found buzzing about those blooms even though they are highly aromatic.  There just has to be something about that Fennel pollen!  I knew the plants were good for you and the seeds are amazingly tasty but what about that pollen?

  A bit of research showed where the Fennel pollen is indeed sought after by, not only bees, but humans.  Just recently, the pollen has become recognized as an exciting culinary spice.  Obviously, the pollen packs quite the wham to a number of dishes.  It can be added to meats, salads and even breads!  Come to find out, I am missing out on the most potent part of the Fennel!

  Another thing that was surprising (and a bit saddening) was the fact that even though there were hundreds of bees on the Fennel, not one was a honeybee.  Perhaps they do not like the potent pollen and search out sweeter nectar.  Earlier in the year, the roses, jasmine and citrus trees were loaded with honeybees but I never noticed any other type.  I suppose bees have selective tastes just like humans.  Sweet nectar must be needed to make honey whereas pollen can be used to feed bee larvae. Since these bees and wasps were most likely stowing food away for their unhatched eggs, it stands to reason that the pollen would suffice. Smart bees.  And if that pollen is so tasty, I now want to find a way to harvest it!  Perhaps this will be my new "spice" of the year!  And since it is priced at around $10 per half ounce, I will harvest and not buy!  Wouldn't it be great if I could train bees to harvest pollen for me?